Ocean Eyes - Maddie Poppe and Caleb Hutchinson Series (Book 3)

Chapter 37

(A/N: Just another filler, sorry!)

Maddie's POV

Allison's first therapy session went better than I had expected. Her therapist said that Allison had really opened up to her, and I'm very proud of her for that. I look at her through the rearview mirror while she looks down at her hands.

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"I have to talk to Miss Amy because she will make me feel better about sissy?"

"Yes, baby."

We get home, and she goes to her room. After I get some things done around the house, I go up to check on her. I see her wiping her eyes, so I go over to her.

"What's the matter, precious?" I ask.

"I just miss sissy," she answers, softly.

"I miss her, too," I tell her.

She sits up and hugs me, and I hold her close to me. She looks up at me, "but I am happy that she is with her mommy and her fishy. She missed them very much!"

"I know," I kiss her head.

"Miss Amy said that she is happy," she wipes her eyes again.

"She is, I promise," I tell her, "and I promise you will see her again."

We hear the door open downstairs, and Allison's eyes light up, "daddy is home!"

"Yes he is," I smile.

She runs downstairs and hugs him, "I missed you, daddy!"

"I missed you," he hugs her, tightly, "how was your day?"

"It was good," she tells him, "I like the lady that is helping me feel better."

He tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear, "that's great."

"Yeah. She is very nice," she smiles.

A while later, she goes back upstairs, and I join Caleb on the couch.

"How'd it go at the police station?" I ask.

"Great," he smiles.

"Good," I smile back, "I'm glad that we found out who did this and that he will be punished for it."

"Yeah. I told them to punish him to the max," he says.

"He deserves the worst punishment possible."

The doorbell rings, and Caleb gives me a confused expression, "are you expecting someone?"

"No," I furrow my eyebrows. I go over and open the door to Gabby, "Oh, hey!"

"Hey," she smiles, "I would've called, but my phone is kind of, uh, broke."

"Oh, wow," I say.

"Yeah. Long story. So, I was just wondering if you guys would like to double date with Cade and I?"

I look over at Caleb. He shrugs, "I'm up for it if you are, babe."

"It might be nice after everything that's happened lately," I breathe out.

"Great," she smiles, "Is Allison here?"

"Aunt Gabby!" She comes and hugs her, "you are back again!"

"Yup, just for a second," she laughs.

"Should we call Catie?" Caleb asks.

"Okay," I tell him.

"Cade's in the car, but he can wait," Gabby laughs.

Caleb gets off of the phone, "she's coming."

"Aunt Catie is coming?" Allison asks.

"Yes," he smiles.

"Yay!" She squeals, "Woah, Aunt Gabby! That is a very pretty ring!"

Gabby's eyes widen a little and I gasp, "Gabby!"

"Yeah?" She smiles, widely.

"You and Cade are engaged?" I ask.

"Mhm," she nods.

"Wow," Caleb comes over to us, "Congratulations."

"Yeah, congratulations," I hug her.

"Thank you. We're really excited," Gabby beams.

"Huh?" Allison furrows her eyebrows.

"Uncle Cade and I are getting married," Gabby tells her.

"Really?!" Allison's eyes light up.

"Yes," she smiles at her.

I see Catie's car pull up, and she smiles walking up to us. Her reaction is similar to Allison's when she finds out about Gabby and Cade's engagement.

"Aunt Catie! Are you and Uncle Michael going to get married, too?" Allison asks.

Catie's eyes widen, "I don't.."

"Isn't Uncle Michael your boyfriend?" Allison giggles.

Catie's face gets red as she looks up at us, and it takes everything in me to not burst out laughing.

Allison tugs on her arm, "He must be! You two are together all of the time!"

"I... I..." Catie looks down at her.

"Well?" Gabby raises her eyebrows up and down.

Catie looks down, and blushes, "Yes. Okay? Yes."

"Well it's about time!" Gabby says.

"Yeah! It's about time!" Allison repeats, and we all laugh.

After dinner, we get back home and find Catie and Allison watching a movie on the couch. Allison has a tray on her lap with a bowl of soup.

I giggle, "Aunt Catie made you soup?"

"Yes! Delicious soup from the can!" Allison answers.

"My best dish," Catie laughs.

"Your only dish," Allison takes another bite.